Friction draft-rigging.



No. 7I5,040. Patentad Dec. 2,. |902.

W. H. EMERICK.

FRIGTIUN DRAFT IIG'INIa.l

(Applicativi: led Sept. B, 1902.)

2 Sheets-Shui I.

(No Model.)

llo. 715,040.

v Patented Dnc; 2. |902. W. H. EMEBICK.

FRICTION'DRAFT HIGGING.,

{Applicatiou led Sept. 6, 1902.)

(no maar.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

Unteren @maires araN'r OFFICE..

IVILLIAM H. EMERICK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FRICTION DRAFT-HIGGINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of 'Letters Patent No. '7415,040, dated December 2, 1902. Application filed September 6. 1902. Serial No. 122,355. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. EMERICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Friction Draft-Rigging, of which the following is av specification.

This invention relates to friction draft-rigging.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction of draftrigging wherein the springs forming part thereof are relieved of undue shock or jar when a tension is imposed thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of draft-rigging wherein friction devices are employed to relieve the springs of undue shock, whether under cornpressing or expanding or recoiling strains.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure lis a View in plan, parts broken off, of a construction of draftrigging embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section onthe line 2 2, Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4L is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified construction embodying myinvcntion, wherein the spring is relieved from strains in both directions, and which construction I prefer to employ in some cases. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5, Fig. e. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4, showing another modified constructionembodying my invention. Fig. 7

is a transverse section on the line 7 7, Fig. G. The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the use of draft-rigging it is customary to employ springs to take up the shocks and l strains incident to the pulling and lbacking of cars in order to relieve the breakable parts of the rigging of danger of breakage as much as possible. When, however, a pulling or pushing strain is suddenly imposed upon the rigging, the shock or the recoil is sometimes too great for the spring to withstand, and consequently the spring and frequently other parts of the rigging give way or break and the train parts.

It is among the special purposes of my invention to provide a construction of draftrigging wherein the pulling or the pushing strains (or both) to which the springs are subjected are transmitted through friction de vices, which serve to relieve the springs of sudden shocks.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein various constructions are shown as embodiments of the broad principles of my invention, reference-sign A designates the draft-timbers, B the coupling-bar, and C the castings or blocks in which the draft-rigging is supported. I have shown the castings O as provided with pockets or ways in which are received and guided followers, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. In the particular form shown the castings C are formed separately from the draft-timbers A and are bolted thereto; butit is obvious that the pockets or ways for the followers may be formed in the opposed faces or sides of the draft-timbers themselves, especially where metallic draft-timbers are used.

I will rst describe the construction shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, which is the simplest form ment of the follower-plate G in one direction. l

The way or guide-pocket Eis provided at one end with shoulders K, which form limitingstops for follower I-I to limit the movement of the same in one direction. A spring L is interposed between the follower-plates G H, the tension of said spring being normally exerted to yieldingly press said plates apart. A strap Ico M is arranged to straddle the follower-plates and the block, as clearly shown, and the free ends of said strap are bolted or otherwise secured to the coupling-bar B.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when a pull is exerted upon coupling-bar B the strap M is drawn in a direction to cause follower H to move in the ways or guides E toward follower G and block J, and hence in a direction to compress spring L. If the pull is exerted suddenly and is as suddenly relieved, or if a pushing effort is exerted upon the coupling-bar or relieved therefrom, as constantlyy occurs in the haulage of cars, greatly injurious and dangerous strains are imposed upon the spring. Now in order to relieve the spring of these shocks and to take up the recoil I provide the block J with an opening therethrough, in which opening I form a spiral groove, (indicated at N, Fig. 3,) and I arrange a rod O to pass through said opening, and I provide said rod with an exterior spiral thread or rib P, arranged to work in the groove N. The ends of rod O are arranged to bear against followers Fand G, respectively. The ways or guides D are provided with shoulders I, (see Fig. 1,) which form abutments or stops for said follower F. Now it will be seen that when a pushing effort is exerted upon draw or coupling bar B said draw or coupling bar engages plate F and moves the same toward block J, thereby causing rod O to move longitudinally through block J, and by reason of the engagement of the spiral rib P in the groove N an axial rotation is imparted to the rod. In other words, the block J forms, in effect, a worm-block and the rod O a worm. The axial rotations of rod O are opposed by the bearing-friction of the ends of said rods against follower-plates F and G, as well as by the friction of the bearing of said rod in the wormblock, and it will be readily seen that the compression of the spring is'opposed by this friction, and said spring cannot compress more rapidly than is permitted by the friction opposing the rotation of rod O or the advancement of said rod through worm-block J. The same is true under the recoil of the spring, said spring being permitted to recoil only in unison with the rotations of the rod in the opposite direction. Thus the spring is relieved of undue strains imposed under a pushingeffortexerted upon the coupling mechanism or under the influence of a recoil from such strains, and such strains are most commonly the source of the greatest injury to the draft-rigging.

It may sometimes be desirable to provide a friction arrangement such as above described to relieve the spring of undue strains under conditions of pull as well as of push and of the recoils therefrom.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown one form of construction embodying the principles of my invention, wherein the compression of the F'. i compression thereof under the pull exerted is spring and its recoil are controlled frictionally, Whether the compression be effected by a pull on the coupling-bar or by a push. In this construction I employ the Worm-block J the same as before. In this worm-block, with its internal spiral groove or seat N, operates -block J. The sleeve A' is provided with an internal spiral groove E', and arranged to work longitudinally through sleeve A' is a rod F', having a spiral rib G', engaging in the groove E' of sleeve A'. The rod F' passes through follower-plate D', and at its outer end also passes through a follower-plate H', and such outer end is provided with a head J', arranged to be received in a countersunk seat formed in the outer face of followerplate H'. K' designates a follower-plate arranged adjacent to the follower-plate H', and against which the end surface of the head J' bears. A spring L' is interposed between the follower-plates D' and H', and the tension thereof is normally exerted in a direction to separate said plates. The strap M and coupler arm or bar B are arranged in the same y manner as above explained with reference to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

From the foregoing description it will be lseen that when a pull is exerted upon the coupler-bar B, so as to draw upon strap M, the rod F' is advanced through sleeve A', such `advancing movement resulting in the axial rotation of said rod by reason of the engagement of the spiral rib and groove G' E' and `also by the friction of the bearing-surface of the head J against follower-plate K'. This frictional resistance opposes the compression of spring L', and said spring can compress only in unison with the axial rotation of rod Similarly the recoil of spring L' from the resisted by the friction due to the axial rotation of rod F. It will be understood that in the operation above described the followerplate C' is in engagement against its abutting shoulder K, (see Fig. 1,) so as to prevent endwise movement of sleeve A'. Similarly when a pushing strain is imposed upon coupling-bar B the follower-plate C' is caused to move toward worm-block J, thereby pushing IOO IIO

sleeve A' longitudinally through the wormblock, which longitudinal movement is opposed by the friction of spiral tooth or rib B', working in the groove or seat N, which imparts axial rotation to said sleeve. This movement also eects a compression of spring L' between the follower-plates K' H', which are limited 'by the abutment of shoulder Q (see Fig. 1) and follower-plate D', against which the end of sleeve A' bears, and in addition to the friction of the engagement of rib B' in groove N it will be seen that the axial rotation of sleeve A develops friction on the end surfaces thereof which bear against followers C and D'. Thus the compression of spring L', under the infiuence of a pushing shock, must be in unison with the endwise and axial rotative movements of sleeve A and is opposed by the friction developed by the axial rotation of said sleeve. Similarly the recoil of spring L after a pushing shock exerted thereon when released is taken up in a similar manner.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown another modilied construction embodying the principles of my invention, wherein the coupling-bar B, sills A, and strap M remain the same as before. In this construction, however, I employ two hollow cylinders or sleeves A2 B2, said cylinders or sleeves being closed at one end and havingl their open ends telescoped into each other. The internal surface of one of said cylinders and the external surface of the other of said cylinders are provided with intermeshing spiral rib-and-groove connections, (indicated at 02,) so that relative longitudinal movements of said cylinders impart .axial rotation to one or the other of said cylinders. The compression-springD2isinclosed within said cylinders and bears at one end against a friction-plate E2 in the closed 'end of one of said cylinders and at the opposite end against a friction-plate F2 in the closed end of the other of said cylinders. The eX- terior surface of the closed end of cylinder B2 is arranged to bear against a followerplate G2, while the exterior surface of the closed end of cylinder A2 is arranged to bear against a follower-plate H2, said followerplates G2 and H2 operating in the slideways D E (see Fig. l) of the castings. The operation of this form of my invention is similar to that of the constructions above described. WVhen the spring D2 is compressed, whether by a pulling or a pushing effort or shock or when said spring recoils from either a pulling orapushing effort or shock, such compression or recoil is opposed by the friction mechanism, which axially rotates one or the other, or both, of the cylinders A2 B2 and the bearing-surfaces of the closed ends of said cylinders against follower-plates G2 H2. Consequently such compression and such recoil are frictionally opposed and regulated, thereby relieving the spring of undue shock and preventing the breakage thereof under the rough usage to which the draft-rigging is subjected in the practical operation thereof.

A draft-rigging such as above described is simple and economical in construction and is efficient in operation, and while specially adapted for use on railway-cars itis equally well adapted for use on street, elevated, or mine cars employing trailers or two or more cars.

I desire it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions and arrangements shown and described,

as many variations and'cbanges in the details thereof would readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and various constructions embodying the principles thereof and having described such constructions and their modes of operation, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a draft-rigging, a coupling-bar, a spring for opposing the pushing or pulling efforts exerted upon said bar, a rod arranged to move coincidently with the compressing and recoil movements of said spring, a fixed worm-block, spiral gear connections between said rod and block for imparting axial rotations to said rod during lthe longitudinal movements thereof, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a draft-rigging, a coupling-bar, a spring for opposing the movements thereof, a worm-block and rod having spiral gear connection with each other, one of these parts being fixed and the other arranged to move in unison with the compressing and recoil movements of the spring, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a draft-rigging, draft-timbers carrying pockets upon the opposed faces thereof, a worm-block stationarily mounted, a rod arranged to operate longitudinally through said block, said block and rod having spiral gear connection with each other, follower-plates arranged in said pockets, aspring interposed between said follower-plates, astrap embracing said follower plates and block, and a coupling-bar connected to said strap, all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a draft-riggin g, draft-timbers,a wormblock mounted therein, a sleeve operating th rough said block and having spiral gear connection therewith, follower-plates arranged to engagethe ends of said4 sleeve, a rod operating in said sleeve and having spiral gear connection therewith, a follower-plate arranged to receive the head of said rod,a spring interposed between one of the follower-plates IOO IIO

which engages the end of said sleeve and the ISO said rod, a spring interposed between said In Witness whereof have hereunto set my last-mentioned follower-plate and afollowerhand, this 2d day of September, 1902, in the 1o plate arranged on one side of said block, presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

abuttin (f stops for said follower-plates, a strap embracbng said follower plates and block, WILLIAM H' EMBRICK' and a coupling-bar connected to said strap, Witnesses: all combined and arranged as and for the E. C. SEMPLE, purpose set forth. S. E. DARBY. 

